Cause of Osteopenia Genetics

A primary Cause of Osteopenia Genetics . This is the first cause we should consider when we are trying to figure out why we have 'thin bones'

We have known for a long time that genetics is involved as a cause of
Osteopenia (thin bones) as well as in the more severe form of bone loss,
Osteoporosis. Both these conditions run in families.

Even before the
advanced genetic studies of recent years, medical science knew about a
genetic predisposition and that it is the `strongest predictor' of who does and does
not develop Osteopenia or Osteoporosis.

In some ways it is obvious. Think about your family:
your mother, father, grandparents on both sides.... maybe even your
aunts and uncles. You will notice that certain 'body types' seem to run
through the generations.

At family gatherings there is often talk about who the children 'take after'. But this is not just about eye color or the shape of someones' face. Some children take after
family members with thick, heavy bones. Others have a thinner or lighter
frame.So a Cause of Osteopenia Genetics plays out even in such simple ways.

If your genetic inheritance is thick, heavy bones, you are less
likely to develop Osteopenia or Osteoporosis than someone who starts
off with thinner bones. If you have slight skeletal structure to start
with you may develop 'thin bones' in your later years. This is one way
that the Cause of Osteopenia Genetics works.

When I
go into New York City, I am often struck that some people come from
native stock that has compact, sturdry bodies. Others are slight with thin bones. Even very tall people
vary. Some are long and their bone structure narrow. Others are just
as tall but their bones are big and heavy. So a Cause of Osteopenia Genetics becomes clear.

Think about your own family members and their appearance. Don't pay attention to weight. Think only of their bones!

ASIDE:
I recently read an article that noted that Osteoporosis is less common
in Mexico than in the United States. At the time I recalled that a
great number of Mexicans of Indios descent are short and stocky and have
a heavy bone structures. Of course there are other factors. It is well
known that those living closer to the equator seem to have less
Osteopenia than those living above the 43rd parallel because of their
exposure to the sun and its relation to Vitamin D. And Mexican culture
includes more physical exercise than that of North Americans etc. And
daily diet counts too. But the point about bone structure is important.
What we begin with, sets the basis for the rest.

After age
35, we begin to lose more bone than we normally make. It is natural that
those with thick, heavy bones will normally have greater bone mass at
this juncture and so they should fare better than those who inherited
thinner bones. This is one way that Genetics is a cause of Osteopenia or
Osteoporosis.

But this is not all. . .

Other Cause of Osteopenia Genetics connections

In recent years scientists have been able to isolate and study some
specific genes. This is an important and exciting development for those interested in
preventing and treating bone loss.

We now know, for example, that some of us have a genetic composition that interferes with our processing Vitamin
D from sunlight. Since Vitamin D is essential in the process of using
calcium from food or supplements to make bone. This genetic discovery
is important. If we know that we have this genetic marker,
it could be that greater Vitamin D supplementation would be useful.

Let's look at some of the science behind Cause of Osteopenia Genetics.

John
E. Eisman, a researcher in New South Wales, Australia has summarized
many of the known genetic factors that are believed to be a Cause of
Osteopenia or Osteoporosis in his article, "Genetics of Osteoporosis".

He says:

".
. . genetic factors playing a major role in inherent bone structural
characteristics and skeletal size and that these heritable effects are
already programmed before puberty. Recent studies. . .suggest that a
significant part of the heritability is related to shared genetic
contributions to skeletal size and body composition. . . in several . . .
studies 50–80% of the age-related variability of bone phenotypic
parameters appeared to be genetically determined."

He also states that studies of twins conclude that:

"Analysis
of these data suggests that 75–80% of the variance in bone density in
individuals matched for age, sex, and general health is genetically
determined." So your genes have a lot to do with your bone density.

What genes are relevant as being a Cause of Osteopenia?

The
VDR gene and collagen I{alpha}1 gene polymorphisms are associated with
levels of bone density. But recent studies indicate "that a large number
of other genes with modest effects and possibly some major effect genes
remain to be identified. Several studies suggest that other genes
involved in homeostasis of bone density, including potential regulators
of bone cell function and calcium homeostasis, may be determinants of
bone phenotype."

The work related to genes as a Cause of
Osteopenia is still in progress. But it is quite clear that some of us
are by our family inheritance more likely to have thick strong bones,
build new bone more easily and lose bone more slowly. For others of use
it is the reverse.

What does this mean for you?

Some
people assume that having a Cause of Osteopenia Genetics is a
condemnation - that there is nothing they can do to prevent or remedy
excessive bone loss. This is NOT true. Having a predisposition is not
the same as actually having a disease or health condition. Example.
Given my genes I have a predisposition towards developing diabetes. It
runs in my family.

But realizing this has motivated me to
exercise regularly, watch my diet and use some supplements such as
cinnamon that are know to be useful in regulating insulin levels. I am
one of the few members of my family who has not developed diabetes in
midlife.

So, what about Cause of Osteopenia Genetics in your family?

1. If your parents or grandparents experienced broken bones or
dowagers humps as they grew older, if you have narrow or light bone
structure, you really need to pay attention to your nutrition, your
weight bearing exercise and especially your Vitamin D uptake.

2. If you already have Osteopenia or Osteoporosis, you need to work
extra hard and stopping and reversing your bone loss since it could be
that you have a genetic predisposition toward excessive bone loss.

3. But, in addition to your own eating and exercise habits, you need
to think of other family members. Do you have younger sisters or
brothers? If so, maybe you should alert them so they discuss having a bone density screening with their physicians - since they too could have a genetic predisposition.

4. If you have children or grandchildren who are not yet in their
thirties, they have time to work at building an extra strong skeletal
system. Remember we usually are building excessive bone until our mid
thirties. Nutrition, weight bearing exercise are especially important
for those who are born into families with genetic predispositions
towards thin bones.